With the news that Australian Wool Innovation chairman Wal Merriman has stepped down as chairman of the not-for-profit company, we thought we’d take a look back at some of the more colourful moments while he was at the helm.

The news of his decision hit the headlines mid-morning today. He has been chairman since 2008 and will remain as a director of AWI.

Back in October 2017, the alleged dysfunction of AWI was hitting the headlines.

Shadow Agriculture Minister Joel Fitzgibbon proposed addressing the "silo" investment mentality of research and development corporations in Australia by reviewing the current structure.

Shadow Agriculture Minister Joel Fitzgibbon was supporting an inquiry into the effectiveness of the current RDC system amid widespread behaviour and governance concerns of Mr Merriman.

In January this year, it was reported that Australian Wool Innovation’s deadline to respond to Senate estimate questions, from last October, expired in December – three questions relating to evidence of professional processes remain unanswered. Read more here.

Back in July 2017, Mr Merriman was denying an attempt to oust Meat and Livestock Australia’s chief from the meat industry’s top position.